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enBrunt vows to heap misery on Aston VillaWest Broms Chris Brunt has stoked the fire ahead of consecutive Midlands derbies by vowing to heap more misery on lowly Aston Villa.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/brunt-vows-heap-misery-villa
The two sides will lock horns twice in the space of five days, firstlyin the Premier League at Villa Park on Tuesday before resuming hostilities at the same venue in the FA Cup on Saturday.
Villa languish second from bottom in the league, adrift of safety on goal difference after 12 matches without a win, while West Brom are eight points better off.
At the forefront of Brunt's mind is Tuesday'sfixture, where West Brom will seek to make it five league games unbeaten.
"Obviously Villa are having a bad time at the moment and they are not scoring many goals, but that run has to come to an end at some stage and it's important that we make sure it's not against us," Brunt said.
"I hope we can use the pressure on them to our advantage, but it's a local derby and form usually goes out the window.
"We saw that last season when Villa hadn't been scoring many goals, we hadn't scored many either and we ended up sharing seven in 90 minutes.
"With the way results went for us on Saturday, we will go there aiming to extend our unbeaten run. It's going to be a difficult game for us – but it will be difficult for them as well.
"There is pride at stake in the area, but we have to block that out. The Cup game will be special when we get to it, but it's important that we concentrate on the League game first.
"Then we can turn our attention to the FA Cup – and one way or another it will be a big week for people in the Midlands."
Last season's match at Villa Park finished 4-3 to the hosts.
news_articleTue, 03 Mar 2015 08:20:20 +0000354192 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comMignolet: Devastated Liverpool will regroupSimon Mignolet is adamant that devastated Liverpools UEFA Europa League exit will not derail the clubs bid to seal another top-four Premier League finish and FA Cup glory.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/mignolet-backs-devastated-liverpool-regroup
Brendan Rodgers' men crashed out of the competition on penalties on Thursday at the hands of Besiktas, Dejan Lovren missing the crucial spot-kick to end the last 32 tie.
But goalkeeper Mignolet insists sixth-placed Liverpool are desperate to bounce back as attention switches to Manchester City's visit to Anfield on Sunday.
On Liverpool's top-four prospects as the club seek a return to the Champions League, Mignolet told the Liverpool Echo: "Of course we can do it.
"We always said we want to get in the Champions League for next season.
"We're still in the FA Cup and we're close to the top four in the Premier League so there is still a lot to play for this season.
"It's not easy at this moment when you've just come out of the dressing room and we've gone out of Europa League but we have to put it behind us.
"Everyone is devastated to go out, especially like that at the end of 120 minutes.
"We have to look forward and prepare ourselves as best we can. We need to recover and then go again on Sunday.
"It's another big game and we need to try to get back to winning ways. We have to focus on the job in hand."
Mignolet, who confirmed that Liverpool practice penalties every week in training, refused to blame Lovren, as he added: "I've always said when you win, when you lose, when you go through, when you go out, it's always as a squad."
news_articleFri, 27 Feb 2015 08:02:42 +0000351688 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comPulis not allowing cup to become distractionDespite an FA Cup quarter-final with Aston Villa on the horizon, Tony Pulis is not allowing West Brom to become distracted from their Premier League duties.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/pulis-not-allowing-cup-become-distraction
West Brom booked their place in the last eight with a 4-0 thumping of West Ham on Saturdayand will travel to Villa on March 7 to play for a spot in the semi-finals.
Since Pulis took over from Alan Irvine on New Year's Day, West Brom have lost just once in six league outings, a run that has seen them move four points clear of danger in 14th.
With a trip to Sunderland - one place below them in the table - to come this weekend, Pulis has not given the quarter-final a second thought.
"I have had absolutely no thoughts about Aston Villa at all," he said.
"For all the talk and all the hype, there is all the work to do in front of us before we even open that door.
"The players can glean a lot of confidence out of what we have done so far but we will need those results.
"We need to step on and not take our foot off the pedal.
"For all what we have done it still going to be a tough journey right until the end of the season."
news_articleFri, 20 Feb 2015 08:23:26 +0000347389 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comPoyet moves to soothe Sunderland tensionsGus Poyet has written an open letter to Sunderland supporters urging them not to allow their relationship with him to be broken by people from outside the club.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/poyet-moves-soothe-sunderland-tensions
Sunderland fans turned against head coach Poyet during last Sunday's surprise 2-0 FA Cup fifth round defeat at League One side Bradford City.
The Uruguayan hit out at the media after his side's shock exit at Valley Parade and on Friday made public a plea to fans via the club's official website.
He wrote: "What we achieved last year was achieved by all of us together: club (chairman, directors, staff and players) and fans.
"Nobody, and I mean nobody, from outside helped us a bit, it was only us together.
"During my career as a player, coach or manager, I have always had a fantastic relationship with the fans.
"From my time in Uruguay going through every team in Europe, always the relationship was strong, one of mutual respect and understanding.
"I showed from inside or from outside the pitch, my commitment, passion and dedication in achieving what every club deserved.
"So let's make sure that we don't let anyone to break our relationship, I promise you that I care and want to win as much as you do and no one thinks more time every day about the team than I do.
"I invite all of you to stay positive, to be strong, closer to each other and keep believing in what we started together last year, working harder to make it better this season.
"To finish I would like to clarify once more: the main [man] responsible [for] the results of our team is me, I always said it and I will always accept my responsibility.
"I am really looking forward to see the Stadium of Light packed on Saturday, pushing the team to what could be a very important victory."
news_articleThu, 19 Feb 2015 15:17:08 +0000346939 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comVan Gaal warned by FA after cup commentsManchester United manager Louis van Gaal has been warned by the Football Association followingcomments made to the media following his teamsFA Cup tie with Cambridge United.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/van-gaal-warned-fa
The Dutchman was charged with making comments that "alleged and/or implied bias on the part of the match referee, and/or brought the game into disrepute" after the Premier League club's 0-0 draw at the Abbey Stadium.
Following the stalemate - which led to a reply that Manchester United won 3-0 -Van Gaal told reporters: "Every aspect of the match is against us - the pitch, the referee.Everything that you can think about this is against you."
Van Gaal decidedto appeal the decision, withthe FA confirmingon Wednesday that he had been warned.
An FA statement read: "Following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing on Wednesday 18 February 2015, Louis van Gaal has been warned as to his future conduct after he was found to have breached FA Rules in relation to media comments."
news_articleWed, 18 Feb 2015 16:50:09 +0000346329 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comRooney apologised, says Prestons StuckmannWayne Rooney apologised for the manner in which he won a penaltyduringManchester Uniteds FA Cup victory over Preston at Deepdale, according to goalkeeperThorsten Stuckmann.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/rooney-apologised-me-stuckmann
Rooney made sure of United'sprogression to the quarter-finalswith a late penalty after Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini had cancelled out Scott Laird's opener - although the England international sparked debate over whether he dived to win the spot-kick.
With Stuckmann hurtling out of his goal, Rooney hurdled the goalkeeper's challenge before going to ground, with the German left in no doubt as to whether it should have been a penalty.
"After the game Rooney told me: 'Sorry, it was my chance to get a penalty. I had to use that',"Stuckmann told The Sun.
"I say it clear: That was no penalty. I also believe that if the situation had happened the other way around,one of our strikers against the United keeper,the ref wouldn't have given the penalty.
"I have no doubt about that."
United will face Arsenal at Old Traffordin the last eight of the FA Cup.
news_articleWed, 18 Feb 2015 08:31:46 +0000346078 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comCrystal Palace vow to ban coin-throwing fansCrystal Palace have vowed to bansupporters who threw coins during the clubs last two homes games once theperpetrators have been identified.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/palace-vow-ban-coin-throwers
Fabricio Coloccini was struck in the face by a coin while celebratingPapiss Cisse's opening goal for Newcastle United in the 1-1 drawat Selhurst Park last Wednesday.
Newcastle manager John Carver said his captain could have been blinded after the coin missed the Argentine defender's eye by "an inch".
There were also reports of a coin being thrown atAdam Lallana as he celebrated putting Liverpool in front in their FA Cup 2-1victory on Saturday.
Palace have appealed for help in tracking down the offenders and warned they will not be welcome at Selhurst Park once they have been caught.
A club statement said: "We have conducted our own investigation into the incidents at our last two home matches, as well as making our CCTV footage available to the police.
"We take a zero tolerance approach to this sort of behaviour and, if the perpetrators are identified, they will be banned indefinitely from the stadium. If they are season ticket holders their cards will be made void without a refund.
"The stupid behaviour of a few supporters risks creating a negative image of our club and we would appreciate the help of Palace fans in identifying the culprits, who are not welcome at Selhurst Park.
"The club already has extensive security measures in place, including body cameras for stewards, and will continue to improve CCTV coverage at the ground."
news_articleTue, 17 Feb 2015 17:56:09 +0000345722 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comVan Gaal delighted with home FA Cup drawDespite being handed a tough FA Cup quarter-final tie with Arsenal, Manchester United manager Louis van Gaalis grateful for having being drawn at home.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/van-gaal-delighted-home-draw
Van Gaal's side were pittedagainst Arsene Wenger'smenfor the last eight on Monday, and confirmed their place with a 3-1 win atPreston North End.
Goals from Ander Herrera, Marouane Fellaini and a latepenalty from Wayne Rooney were enough to cancel out Scott Laird's opener and propel the Dutchman's squad into the quarter-finals.
Following previous away fixturesatYeovilTown, Cambridge United and Preston,Van Gaal believes the hometie suits his side better and relishes the challenge that the London club will bring,
"The most important thing is that we have a draw at home," he told the club's official website.
"In FA Cup matches, I believe that is important, so I am pleased that we get to play against Arsenal at home.
"Every gamein the FA Cup is difficult to win because every team is giving everything.
"You have also seen it in this round how many better situated teams have lost.
"So what is very important is that we will play at home for the first time."
news_articleTue, 17 Feb 2015 14:20:42 +0000345620 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comVan Gaal: Fellaini provides alternative optionMarouane Fellaini provides Manchester United with a more than useful plan B, according to manager Louis van Gaal.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/fellaini-provides-alternative-option-van-gaal
With United trailing 1-0 at Preston North End in the FA Cup fifth round on Monday, Van Gaal replaced Radamel Falcao with Ashley Young, and pushed Fellaini forward to partner Wayne Rooney in attack.
The tactical switch paid off, Ander Herrera equalising before Fellaini and then a late Rooney penalty saw United through to a home quarter-final with Arsenal.
United have been accused of using long-ball tactics in recent weeks, but Van Gaalmakes no apologies for playing to the strengths of the Belgian.
"I have used Fellaini a lot of times already - more than ever and he scores more than ever," Van Gaal said.
"He is a player that when we cannot beat the pressure with quality, we can always beat the pressure. That is a quality.
"Now I have played him for the first time in his [preferred]position but we have a lot of players who can play there.
"The whole team did it well because they believe also that we could do it with this shape.
"As trainer-coach or a staff, you can change the system but your players have to believe in it and perform it and that is not so easy and they do it and not for the first time. That is fantastic."
news_articleTue, 17 Feb 2015 10:00:21 +0000345486 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comGrayson: Man Uniteds goals were contentiousPreston North End manager Simon Grayson labelled each of Manchester Uniteds goals slightly contentious in their 3-1 FA Cup win away to the League One club on Monday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/grayson-uniteds-goals-were-contentious
United moved into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup with their victory at Deepdale Stadium; coming from behind thanks to goals from Ander Herrera, Marouane Fellaini and Wayne Rooney.
Scott Laird put Preston in front in the 47th minute and Grayson claimed that goal could have won his side the match if a few referee decisions had gone their way.
The 45-year-old manager was particularly frustrated with Rooney's penalty, claiming Preston goalkeeper Thorsten Stuckmann did not even touch the United attacker before he went down in the box.
Grayson argued Rooney could have been judged offside in the lead-up to Herrera's goal, while he claimed Fellaini fouled a Preston defender before giving United the advantage.
"All three goals were slightly contentious," Grayson said after the match.
"I've seen them all and on another day, we could have had the decisions go our way.
"The first one, it's a grey area. Wayne Rooney is not directly in front of him but just to side.
"The second one, we felt Tom Clarke was pushed by Fellaini. The third one, Wayne Rooney was not touched by the goalkeeper.
"There was no contact. He got out of the way, he took evasive action.
"All three could have been quite different for us but those are the fine margins in football matches."
news_articleTue, 17 Feb 2015 03:33:16 +0000345335 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comOShea: No Sunderland panic after cup exitThere is no panic at Sunderland but skipper John OShea wants to see a response from his team-mates after Sundays FA Cup defeat to Bradford City.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/oshea-no-panic-sunderland
Sunderland crashed out of the FA Cup in the fifth round over the weekend, eliminated by League One outfit Bradford following O'Shea's third-minute own goal and Jon Stead's second-half strike.
With pressure mounting on manager Gus Poyet and Sunderland securing just one win from their past eight Premier League fixtures, the Wearside team face fellow strugglers West Brom in what is shaping as a crucial match for both teams.
Sunderland, who hover just two points above the relegation zone, are two points adrift of West Brom.
And O'Shea has called on his team-mates to put Sunday's result behind them as they bid to preserve their Premier League status.
"We have to forget Bradford very quickly and focus in on the job in hand. We need to stick together and move on," said O'Shea.
"We're already looking ahead to Saturday, and because of what's just happened, whoever we were playing next was always going to be a big game. There needs to be a reaction.
"The fans will want to see that but, as players, we're all aware of the need to react positively too. There's no panic here or anything like that – we're all on the same page, sticking together and hopefully getting three points.
"Last season had lots of ups and downs, so in a way we're used to dealing with that. It's about staying calm and sticking to what we do – the more continuity we have, the better we'll play.
"We have to make sure we dust ourselves down, see what kind of squad we have for the weekend, and then make sure everyone is fighting together for the same goal.
"There's a real determination that none of this will get in the way of what we have to do. Last season, people were saying that the cup run would be a distraction from the league. Now, there's no cup any more so we'll be fully concentrated on the league."
news_articleTue, 17 Feb 2015 00:36:32 +0000345246 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comVan Gaal hails Man United spirit in Preston winLouis van Gaal felt Manchester Uniteds unbelievable spirit and a change of tactics were behind their FA Cup fifth round fightback at Preston North End.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/van-gaal-hails-unbelievable-united-spirit
Preston manager Simon Grayson masterminded a famous FA Cupvictory over United during his tenureat Leeds United in 2010 and he must have been dreaming of another shock win when Scott Laird put the League One side in front just after half-time at Deepdale.
United avoided an upset, though, as Ander Herrera andMarouaneFellaini marked their recalls to the starting line-up with goals before Wayne Rooney struck from the spot after he had been upended by Preston goalkeeperThorstenStuckmann to seal a 3-1 win.
Van Gaal opted to replace the ineffectiveRadamel Falcao with Ashley Young and employFellaini as a striker alongside Rooney, who started ina more familiar role as a striker rather than in midfield.
Young laid on the first goal for Herrera andFellaini put United in front, so Van Gaal was pleased to see his switch pay dividends as United set up a mouth-watering quarter-final at Arsenal next month.
The former Netherlands coach told BBC Sport: "I was satisfied [with the second half performance]. But also about the first half I was really satisfied.
"It is always difficult in such games, especially with long balls and fights between the centre-halves and [Preston strikerKevin]Davies.
"In the second half thegoal was a little bit unlucky, it was deviated also Ithink. But after then we showed an unbelievable team spirit.
"Then we changed the shape and that was the solution I think. We also scored fantasticgoals, alittle bit lucky also Ithink. The second goal [Antonio]Valenica's cross to thesecond post for Fellaini Iliked a lot. I was very happy for Valencia."
news_articleMon, 16 Feb 2015 22:39:48 +0000345189 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comFA Cup: Preston 1 Man United 3Wayne Rooney ended his goal drought as Manchester United came from behind to beatPreston North End 3-1 at Deepdale and set up an FA Cup quarter-final against Arsenal.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/preston-north-end-1-manchester-united-3-rooney-target-fightback
The England striker had not netted in nine games ahead of Monday'sfifth-round tie, but completed the scoring with a late penalty after being moved back into an attacking role byLouis van Gaal.
Scott Laird's second goal of the season just after half-time had putPreston boss Simon Grayson on course to spring another FA Cup shock against United, having masterminded Leeds United'svictory at Old Trafford in 2010.
Van Gaal's side avoided an upset, though, as Ander Herrera and MarouaneFellainimarked their recalls to the starting line-up with goals and Rooney struck from the spot after he had been upended by Preston goalkeeperThorstenStuckmann.
United will now face Arsenal in a mouth-watering last-eight tie at the Emirates Stadium next month as they attempt to win the FA Cupfor the first time in 11 years and give Van Gaal a trophy in his first season at Old Trafford.
Preston gave a good account of themselves, but were unable to pull off a stunning victory over their Lancashire rivals and must now turn their attentions back to their League One promotion push.
United were not allowed to settle as the tie was played at a frantic pace, but Angel di Maria was only just off target with a free-kick 13 minutes in.
The Premier League sidelacked quality in the final third in a poor first half, but Rooney looked poised to put them in front when Radamel Falcao laid the ball into his path just before the breakuntilBailey Wright intervened with a fine challenge.
While the first 45 minutes had produced very little entertainment, it took just two minutes of the second half for the game to spark into life when Laird put Preston in front.
The full-back burst into the penalty area to get on the end of a nicely weighted PaulGallagher passand his left-foot strike deflected offAntonio Valencia and went underDavid de Gea, who should have done better.
Some outstandingdefending fromPaul Huntington denied Fellaini what would surely have been an equaliser, but United were level when Herrera marked his return to the side with a goal after 65 minutes.
The Spanish midfielder got the ball stuck under his feet after taking a pass from substitute Ashley Young in the penalty area, but his left-foot strike crept in off the far post.
Preston felt the goal should have been ruled out as Rooney was stood in an offside position, but it stood as the England captain did not get a touch on the ball and was not deemed to be interfering withplay.
United were on the front foot andFellaini put them front 18 minutes from time when Valencia picked him out with a cross to the far post and the Belgium midfielder fired home from close range after his initial header was saved by Stuckmann.
Stuckmann then upended Rooney two minutes from time and the striker sent the keeper the wrong way to ensure United progressed.
news_articleMon, 16 Feb 2015 21:45:57 +0000345179 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comArsenal to face United or Preston in FA Cup quartersHolders Arsenal will be at home to either Preston North End or Manchester United in the FA Cup quarter-finalsnext month.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/arsenal-face-united-or-preston-fa-cup-quarter-finals
Arsene Wenger's side have been in fine form in the 2014-15 competition, beating last season's final opponents Hull City, Brighton and Hove Albion as well as Middlesbrough on Sunday with little fuss, though a home defeat to Louis van Gaal's menalready this term will keep them sharp, as will the threat of an upset if they face Preston.
Liverpool's quest to help Steven Gerrard see off his Anfield career with a Wembley final appearance goes on at home to Blackburn Rovers.
Gerrard, set to leave for LA Galaxy in July, will turn 35 on the day of the final and many of his team-mates have already discussed wanting to secure the trophy as a fitting send-off to the midfielder.
Blackburn displayed their credentials on the weekend, however, comfortably seeing off top-flight Stoke City 4-1 at Ewood Park - Josh King's hat-trick headlining the win.
At least one Football League team is guaranteed a trip to Wembley in the semi-finals as Bradford City, the lowest ranked remaining side in the competitions, will welcome Reading to Valley Parade after beating Chelsea and Sunderland to progress to the last eight.
Bradford reached the League Cup final in 2013 and the League One outfit boast a proud record of having never lost at home in a cup competition under manager -and former Reading fan favourite -Phil Parkinson, a sequence that was extended to 12 matches following a 2-0 win over Sunderland on Sunday
The remaining ties sees Villa Park play host to a Midlands derby as Aston Villa and West Brom renew rivalries.
The ties will take place over the weekend of March 7/8.
news_articleMon, 16 Feb 2015 19:43:26 +0000345137 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comReadings Yakubu brushes off fresh age doubtsReading striker Yakubu has brushed off renewed questions about his age after arriving at the Madejski Stadium on a free transfer.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/yakubu-brushes-age-doubts
The Nigerian - officially 32 years old - scored on debut in a 2-1 FA Cup victory over Derby County on Saturday, netting an 82nd-minute winner.
Yakubu, though, has been plagued by doubts surrounding his age throughout his career, but insists he will not allow the issue to affect his form.
"You can see the way I play, so I am not talking about my age," he said. "It is normal. People can choose if they don't believe it, so it's up to them.
"But for me I am just enjoying my football.
"The hunger is always there. When you play in England you always have the desire to play. You cannot hide here."
news_articleMon, 16 Feb 2015 09:31:35 +0000344830 at http://www.fourfourtwo.com